Decision makers

Don't Deport Future Engineer - Keep Mariano Cardoso At Home

Brought to the United States when he was in diapers, 22-Year Old Mariano Cardoso faces deportation after living in Connecticut for more than two decades.

Mariano gets good grades, and works to fund his college education without the benefit of government-sponsored loans. He intended to continue his education in the U.S., with an eye on a career in civil engineering. His life changed when ICE burst into his home in August of 2008, handcuffed him and took him to a detention facility.

Now Mariano is in removal proceedings and his attorney has advised him that any more legal actions are likely “a waste of time and money.” His only hope to remain in the United States is either a private bill by his Senators or deferred action from DHS.

Time is running out -- please sign and spread this petition to ask Senators Lieberman and Blumenthal to introduce a private bill for Mariano and request DHS to grant deferred action.

I am writing to ask you to take some action with regards to a 22-year old Mariano Cardoso, from Connecticut, who currently faces deportation from the United States.

Mariano Cardoso was in diapers when his parents crossed the border illegally. He grew up in the United States as any other American citizen but his life changed when ICE burst into his home in Connecticut in August of 2008, handcuffed him and took him to a detention facility. His pending deportation is the result of actions he had no control over. He has spent more than two decades of his formative years in the United States and has proven himself to be a great asset to this country.

Mariano gets good grades, and works to fund his college education without the benefit of government-sponsored loans. He intended to continue his education in the U.S., with an eye on a career in civil engineering.

Even though they were brought to the U.S. years ago as children, teenagers and young adults like Mariano face unique barriers to higher education, are unable to work legally in the U.S., and often live in constant fear of detection by immigration authorities. Our immigration law currently has no mechanism to consider the special equities and circumstances of young adults like Mariano who are undoubtedly a net-benefit to the United States.

Mariano deserves to stay in this country, at least till he can obtain his degree in Civil Engineering. Please introduce a private bill for him and urge DHS to grant Mariano deferred action.